The Weekly
As the humanitarian crisis across the Middle East continues to deepen, with devastating consequences for millions of people. ACFID member agencies are responding on the ground, delivering life-saving assistance in extremely challenging conditions. ACFID joined members in issuing a joint statement calling on the Australian Government to activate urgent humanitarian assistance for the region and to uphold international humanitarian law.
There are a few important events taking place next week that we hope are on your radar. The first is the launch the report that ACFID commissioned, titled “Australian NGOs as Strategic Delivery Partners”. We are pleased to have Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly joining as a keynote speaker at the launch event at Parliament House on Monday, 23 March. It will be great to have ACFID members, parliamentarians, DFAT and other partners joining. Our hope is that all of you (whether you can attend the event or not) can help amplify the report once it is released through a communications kit which we are sharing with members (please contact Win Mrat Wai [email protected] for more information).
Next week we also have our Introduction to the Sector course taking place in Melbourne (not too late to sign up!). It is a great course for any staff or Board members who may be new to the sector! Details for registration are below.
In addition, ACFID is also coordinating engagement with members on Development Partnership Plan for Palestine, following outreach from DFAT. Members with programs or expertise relevant to Palestine are encouraged to connect Naomi Brooks.
To Attend
ACFID Connect: The UN80 Initiative and UN Development System reform
The UN80 Initiative seeks to reform and restructure the United Nations’ architecture in response to significant budget pressures. One of the UN’s three pillars is sustainable development, with various reforms being considered by UN officials and Member States. These include merging UN entities given overlapping mandates, relocating staff from headquarters to cheaper cities and regional hubs, and ‘boosting’ the leadership role of resident coordinators and national ownership. In October 2025, Foreign Minister Wong affirmed Australia’s commitment to ‘bold, ambitious UN reform’.
Through this ACFID Connect session, DFAT colleagues seek to engage with ACFID members to explore the nature of your engagement with the UN Development System, as well as understand member views relating to the role of the UN Resident Coordinators, opportunities/risks associated with merging UN agencies, and on the unique value proposition of the UN. Discussion questions will be shared with registered attendees in advance of the session, and the meeting will be under Chatham House rules.
Date: 1 April 2026
Time: 11:00AM – 12:30PM (AEDT)
Venue: Online (Teams link will be sent)
Please register here.
To Action
Palestine Development Partnership Plan
DFAT has contacted us to coordinate engagement with members regarding a new Development Partnership Plan for Palestine. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you are interested in being involved, and we will provide you with further information when we have it.
To Action
Nominations Open: Development Practice Committee
ACFID member staff are invited to nominate for up to four vacancies on the Development Practice Committee (DPC)—a key advisory group that provides an avenue for committee members to engage with and input to the thematic work of ACFID, develop thought leadership and practice guidance for ACFID’s members, and to deep-dive on policy and practice conversations that impact the work of our membership.
The new terms will run June 2026 – June 2029. The DPC particularly welcomes nominations from those with experience in climate action, locally led action, GEDSI, development policy, and staff from smaller member agencies.
Nominations close 10 April 2026.
Learn more about the committee here and view the Terms of Reference here.
To nominate, please email your CV and a short (≤1 page) statement addressing the Terms of Reference to [email protected].
To Action
ACFID Opportunity: Safeguarding Training Consultancy
ACFID is seeking an experienced practitioner to produce a suite of high‑quality safeguarding learning materials that reflect current good practice, donor expectations, and the needs of ACFID members. This work includes developing 3–4 new safeguarding e‑learning modules with accompanying facilitation guides and updating the existing Introduction to Safeguarding module.
ACFID members are encouraged to share the Terms of Reference with interested consultants or networks. Applications are due 5pm (AEDT) Thursday 2 April.
This work is being co‑funded by ACFID and a group of members. If your organisation is interested in contributing to co‑funding and helping shape the direction of the new modules through the Steering Group, please contact Emily Moreton at [email protected]
To Action
Racial Justice Training (Online)
ACFID members are invited to attend a half-day, online training on Racial Justice. The purpose of these trainings is to help ACFID members understand and implement racial justice and anti-racism strategies in their workplace. The training will also support members meet the new ACFID Code Commitments related to Anti-Racism and Racial Justice.
This training is open to any staff, board of ACFID members who are engaged with or have oversight of ensuring their organization meets the ACFID Code requirements related to Anti-racism and Racial Justice.
This training will be repeated a number of times to accommodate all participants.
Training Option 1: Tuesday 31st March 2026, 1-4pm AEDT. Register here
Training Option 2: Thursday 9th April 10am-1pm AEDT. Register here
To Join
Introduction to the Sector Workshops
ACFID will be hosting a series of Introduction to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector Workshops in 2026. These participatory face-to-face events will include an overview of the history of international development and humanitarian action; an introduction to ACFID’s Code and role in the sector; guest speakers from a range of ACFID’s members; and, opportunities for networking and further learning.
For queries and to access free registration for Small Members, contact [email protected]
Melbourne: Wednesday 25th March. Register here
Brisbane: Thursday 4th June. Register here
Adelaide and Online: Register interest here
To Read
The Code of Conduct Committee (CCC) meets quarterly as custodians of the ACFID Code of Conduct (the Code). The CCC met in February 2026 for its annual two-day meeting. ACFID members can read about the February proceedings here.
The next meeting is in May 2026.
Jobs
Management Accountant | ACFID | Read more here.
Consultants
Clear Horizon – 15% off MEL courses
Clear Horizon is a values-driven, B-Corp certified, women-led company. We support teams and organisations to monitor, evaluate, learn and ultimately to improve the impact of their strategies, programs and initiatives. We have nearly 20 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) across the international development sector, including working with DFAT, MFAT, World Bank, United Nations, INGOs and managing contractors. We work across a range of sectors including social and economic development, gender equality, disability inclusion, democracy and civil society strengthening, health, education, infrastructure, climate change and disaster resilience, and agriculture.
We are currently offering the ACFID Network 15% off the cost of five courses commencing in 2026. Check them out here!
Consultants
Exclusive Offer – Free cyber security audits for ACFID members
OSKY have supported ACFID and its members since 2018 and are now generously offering a limited number of complimentary website cyber security audits. You will receive a plain-English report mapped to the ASD Essential Eight with a 30-day action plan, plus an optional 30-minute debrief.Places are limited and opt-in.
Upcoming Events
|
Date |
Events |
|
25 March |
|
|
25 March |
|
|
31 March |
|
|
1 April |
ACFID Connect: The UN80 Initiative and UN Development System Reform |
|
9 April |
|
|
13 – 14 October |
ACFID National Conference 2026 |